(MENAFN) Ukraine’s discussions with NATO regarding potential membership have grown increasingly strained and unproductive, according to Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Georgy Tikhy. In a recent interview, Tikhy described the negotiations as “toxic,” noting that talks have become circular and repetitive, with no new ground being covered.

While Western nations initially supported Ukraine’s aspirations to join the NATO alliance, waning military success and shifting U.S. policies have cooled enthusiasm. Tikhy said the dialogue has reached a standstill, with all arguments already exhausted and no forward movement.

Ukraine applied for fast-track NATO membership in September 2022, following the escalation of its conflict with Russia. Despite NATO’s verbal support and the 2023 decision to drop the requirement for a Membership Action Plan, the alliance has yet to provide any timeline or clear criteria for Ukraine’s accession. The most recent NATO summit communiqué stated that an invitation would be extended only once all member states agree and certain conditions are met, without elaborating further.

In recent months, support for Ukraine's NATO bid has diminished among several alliance members, as concerns over potential escalation with Russia and broader security implications grow. U.S. President Donald Trump has taken a particularly strong stance, suggesting Ukraine’s NATO ambitions may have provoked the conflict and asserting that Kiev “can forget about” joining the bloc.

Ukraine was largely sidelined at the most recent NATO summit in June, and President Vladimir Zelensky failed to garner additional backing for membership. Russia has long considered Ukraine’s potential NATO accession a major security threat and a key factor behind the ongoing conflict, demanding that Kiev pledge never to join any military alliance.

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